Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: The Mysterious Case of the Missing House (The Redemption Detective Agency, #4) by Michele Pariza Wacek

 

The Mysterious Case of the Missing House

The Redemption Detective Agency

by

Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing House

 

The Mysterious Case of the Missing House (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting - Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date: July 15, 2026
Number of Pages: 177
ASIN: B0FMT7ST5F

Emily has a big decision in front of her. But before she can make it, Amelia Clark, one of Aunt Tilde's friends call The Redemption Detective Agency with an emergency. Apparently, Amelia can't get a hold of her niece, who's been house sitting, and she's worried that her niece forgot to water her rose bushes. Should be fairly straight forward, right? Drive to the house, see if the niece is there, and make sure the roses aren't dead as well. Except...the house is no longer there. It's now a fancy health club. Nor is the niece. Needless to say, Emily has no choice but to figure out what happened to Amelia's house and her niece before she makes any decisions about her career. Or her love life. A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty, romcom cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases, cats, dogs and an opposites attract love triangle. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

Click to Purchase!

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About Michele Pariza Wacek

 

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes, and more, at MPWNovels.com. Michele grew up in Wisconsin (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

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Tour Participants

July 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW

July 21 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 22 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 23 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

July 24 – Romance Novel Giveaways – AUTHOR GUEST POST

July 25 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

July 26 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

July 28 – Ruff Draft – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 28 – FUONLYKNEW - SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 31 - Salty Inspirations.com – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 1 - Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

August 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

August 2 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 3 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 3 – Boys' Mom Reads! - REVIEW

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Arson, Old Lace, and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, #8) by Michele Pariza Wacek

 

Arson, Old Lace and Murder 

(Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)

by

Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

About Arson, Old Lace and Murder

 

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting - Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date: March 25, 2026
Page count: 200 pages
Paperback ISBN: 9798893510393
ASIN: B0GNZPYN1L
Digital ASIN: B0FHQHXNGR

Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down. 

Yes, it was tragic that the owner's body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson? 

Except...one of the waitresses is missing.

Who's pregnant.

Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar. 

How can Charlie say no to the owner's widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day. 

A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life. 

Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

Click to Purchase!

| Amazon | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK |

About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

 

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

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While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is:

The Murder Before Christmas
Ice Cold Murder
Murder Next Door
Murder Among Friends
The Murder of Sleepy Hollow
Red Hot Murder
A Cornucopia of Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026)

Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include:
A Grave Error (prequel)
Loch Ness Murder
A Wedding to Murder For
Three French Hens and a Murder
A Room For Murder
Margaritas and Murder
Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)

Review

5 stars!

Charlie is drawn into a deadly case of arson, murder, and revenge. 

Arson, Old Lace, and Murder is the eighth book in author Michele Pariza Wacek's always-intriguing Charlie Kingsley Mystery series, where a deadly case of arson draws Charlie into the affairs of the clannish 1888ers, the direct descendants of the children left behind when every adult in Redemption mysteriously disappeared in a single night. While Charlie is delivering a tea order to her one client who lives in a part of town almost exclusively inhabited by 1888ers, she discovers a local business ablaze, with a young woman trapped inside. After rescuing her and hearing that a man was still in the building, Charlie returns to make another attempt, but it's too late. In the meantime, though, the survivor, who is well along in pregnancy, disappears with Charlie's coat and the money from her wallet. Shockingly, the police officer on the scene is completely uninterested in locating the young mother-to-be, or in investigating what is obviously a case of arson. The following day, after the local paper reports Charlie's actions at the fire, the wife of the man who perished comes to hire her to investigate his murder. 

Once again, Charlie Kingsley is at the center of a baffling crime that Officer Brandon Wyle doesn't want her investigating. However, this story is unique in that even her friends are adamantly opposed to her involvement, except for pseudo-detective and retired high school English teacher, Mildred Schmidt, who is eager to assist. 

Charlie hits a brick wall with every clue she pursues, and even the young woman who had pulled the disappearing act is unwilling to tell what she knows. In an interesting twist, Wyle is warned off asking questions about the case by his superiors and is forced to encourage Charlie to dig up something so concrete that the case can no longer be swept under the rug. The barriers to the official investigation into anything related to the 1888ers are unknown, but whatever they are, they are closely guarded secrets. 

Charlie and Wyle's relationship is off-kilter and uneasy, and I'm becoming less and less an advocate of their pairing as time goes on. I don't feel like he supports her or truly respects her as a smart and capable adult. It's time she explores other options. 

The story maintains a brisk pace as Charlie does her best to pry information from anyone who might shed light on the secrets of the 1888ers and an even more insular group, The Forgotten. The resolution was surprising, but it made sense. 

While this book is the eighth in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, for the best experience, read a couple of the previous books in this or the related series by the author. I recommend ARSON, OLD LACE, AND MURDER to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy paranormal elements in their stories.

Tour Participants

March 23 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

March 24 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 30 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 31 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

April 1 – Because I Said So – REVIEW

April 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read- REVIEW

April 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 2 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 4 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

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Book Review: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost (Redemption Detective Agency, #3) by Michele Pariza Wacek

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The detectives hit the jackpot for WEIRD when the spirit of a woman’s deceased husband goes missing.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost is the third book in author Michele Pariza Wacek’s humorous cozy mystery series, the Redemption Detective Agency. This time, the ladies hit the jackpot for weird cases when they agree to find the ghost of an old friend’s deceased husband. But after all, Redemption, Wisconsin, is no stranger to missing people, as early in the town’s history, 1888, all the adults disappeared overnight, leaving only children behind. No explanation was ever discovered, nor were any of the missing individuals. But Aunt Tilde is determined to do better by her friend, Ruth.

The interactions among the elderly sleuths continued to delight as they bantered and argued their way through their latest caseload. And much to Emily’s exasperation, Aunt Tilde enlists the legal aid of Nick Stewart early on. While he tackles a most pressing problem for the widow, Emily is tasked with ghost hunting and solving the cold case murder of Ruth’s husband from ten years ago.

Emily always appears to be the only sane person in the room, even though Aunt Tilde is one smart cookie and Mildred and Nora have their own moments in the sun. Nick shares the same plane of reality as Emily, and the romantic tension between the two is great fun.

The story is fast-moving with the reveal of Ruth Jonasburg’s problems, and the race for resolution takes off immediately. Twists and turns kept my interest high, and I easily completed the story in one smile-filled sitting.

I recommend THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING GHOST to cozy mystery readers, especially those who have enjoyed the previous novels in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.


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Book Review: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker (Redemption Detective Agency, #2) by Michele Pariza Wacek

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sheer chaos and sheer entertainment!

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker is the second book in author Michele Pariza Wacek’s fun and, at times, frenetic Redemption Detective Agency featuring a ‘fully-licensed’ private investigations firm staffed by three ‘mature’ sleuths (women of a ‘certain age’) with little professional training and even less practical experience in the field and the owner’s ‘straight-man’ niece who is trying to make a silk purse out of this investigative sow’s ear. What sounds like a recipe for disaster was a fun and entertaining tale, and a perfect way to kick back and enjoy the ensuing hilarity.

When successful financial manager Emily Hildebrandt’s life is suddenly upended, her only fallback plan is to accept the generous invitation of her elderly Aunt Tilde to come live with her in the nearby town of Redemption, Wisconsin, and take over management of her new business venture, the Redemption Detective Agency. Tilde, a retired nurse; Mildred, a teacher; and Nora, the owner of the used bookstore in the same strip center as the new PI office, are the well-meaning but woefully underprepared sleuths. But what they lack in knowledge, skills, and abilities, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and the desire to employ all the high-tech investigative gadgetry available (in the 1990s).

When the girlfriend of the business’s attorney asks the ladies to find her elderly aunt’s dog, which went missing a year ago, and they readily accept, Emily figures it’s a case with little chance of success. But upon her initial contact with the new client, the aunt claims she didn’t have a dog a year ago and certainly not one that had gone missing, saying her niece was mistaken. However, Trish (the niece, girlfriend, and Emily’s oftentimes frenemy) insists that there was a dog, Rex, and the miscommunication is somehow Emily’s fault. Puzzled, her interest definitely piqued, Emily continues the case. In the meantime, a paying customer, a woman who thinks her husband is cheating on her hires the ladies to obtain solid proof she can use in a divorce proceeding, and the gungho trio are all in for a stake-out, surveillance, and the chance to obtain and use all detective tech they can get heir hands on. Emily tries to ride herd over it all, keeping the enthusiastic and unpredictable loose cannons from crossing too many ethical and legal lines, while metaphorically dipping her toe in the local dating pool.

The pace of the story, while carefully building the setup, is still exuberant and frenetic at times. The clever and chaotic dialogue among the women had Emily and me both breathless with its “Who’s on first?” nature. The ladies are so intent on investigating (and wanting to mete out a little old school justice) and the results had me laughing even more. Emily tries her best to keep the legitimate investigation on track and enjoy a little downtime getting to know Jerome, the local school principal, and Nick Stewart, the guy who really makes her heart speed up and is dating the beautiful but obnoxious Trish.

While this is the second book in the series, it works well as a standalone, and readers new to the story should have no trouble catching up. I recommend THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy stories including dogs and cats and, perhaps, a series headed toward the little less cozy in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Book Review: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive (Redemption Detective Agency, #1) by Michele Pariza Wacek

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun start to a new cozy mystery series featuring a very unorthodox detective agency.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive marks the debut of a new cozy mystery series by Michele Pariza Wacek. The Redemption Detective Agency is a spin-off from the author's Charlie Kingsley Mystery series and features several familiar faces.

Emily Hildebrandt has just experienced a double-triple whammy: the loss of her job, car, fiancé, apartment, and money. However, her eccentric Aunt Tilde offers her a place to lick her wounds and recalibrate with her back in Redemption, Wisconsin, with a single phone call. Aunt Tilde has even lined her up with a new job: office manager/detective at Tilde's latest venture, The Redemption Detective Agency. As a reluctant but grateful Emily settles into her new job, the agency gets their first client: the mother of a young man she claims was wrongly convicted of murder. There's just one big catch: the young man confessed to the crime.Emily is an engaging, down-and-out underdog who you can't help but root for, and Aunt Tilde is a fun but quirky and kind-hearted woman. Rounding out the agency are two of Tilde's retirement-aged friends: Mildred, a retired schoolteacher, and Nora, the owner of a used bookstore located in the same strip center as the new detective agency. None of the ladies have any experience whatsoever as detectives. Emily is very much the straight-woman in this quirky, comedic, cozy mystery. Armed with a new lawyer for the son, the ladies work together to investigate, interview, and re-examine the facts of the case, which the police never had to bother with after Hal's confession.

The book is fairly short, so the action starts immediately and never stops until the final conclusion. I was hooked by Emily's sad-sack story right from the start and enjoyed reading the entire book in one sitting. I was pleased with the resolution that not only brought justice but tied up other loose ends and promised more to come.

I recommend THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE to cozy mystery fans, especially those who like more mature sleuths.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Book Review: Homemaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare

Homemaker by Ruthie Knox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Green Bay housewife becomes involved in the investigation of a missing woman from her former mothers' group.

Homemaker is the first book in authors Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare amazing new series, Prairie Nightingale Mysteries, and is one of the most entertaining books I've read this year. Prairie Nightingale notices things, and she knows something is off in the elementary school moms' group she used to be a part of, even before the news that Lisa Ratcliffe was missing. As she talks to the missing woman's closest friends, many of whom were involved in the same multilevel marketing business, Kitty Blue, she starts gathering important pieces of information that, when combined, could be critical to law enforcement in solving the baffling disappearance. Of course, the local FBI agent on the case wants her to back off and leave the investigation to the professionals while showing her a more personal side that could work out to something interesting for her Thursday night date nights. However, they both have access to resources that the other does not, with her having insider knowledge about the missing woman and an uncanny ability to see connections in the clues that others don't.

Prairie Nightingale is a fun and relatable yet complex character with a unique backstory and an unusual post-divorce, co-parenting situation with her ex-husband. She's smart and witty, and her interactions with Special Agent Foster Rosemare are delightful as long as they are not discussing "his" case. I enjoyed how she developed some remarkably intricate theories about what happened to Lisa based on her observations and interviews with the woman's friends.

The plot leaps off to a good start with the mystery introduced early in the story. The story unfolds from Prairie's point of view, so readers have full access to her thought processes and motives as he pursues her private inquiries. There are plenty of relatable moments with Prairie, the mother, and Prairie, the newly single woman, to enjoy as she slowly makes her way to the truth behind what happened to Lisa Ratcliffe.

I recommend HOMEMAKER to readers who enjoy mysteries, cozies, and domestic thrillers.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Ignoring Alva by Emilie Khair

 

Ignoring Alva

by

Emilie Khair

About Ignoring Alva

Ignoring Alva
Cozy Mystery/Sibling Fiction
Setting - Minnesota and Wisconsin
Publisher: Current Words Publishing (February 4, 2025)
Paperback: 282 pages
ISBN-10: 1957224452 / ISBN-13: 978-1957224459
Digital ASIN: B0DW4F61RW / Audiobook ASIN: B0DW1Q5J9X

Meet Alva and Millie.... not your typical eighty-something sisters.

While recovering from a mild stroke, Alva's vivid dreams of daring exploits spark a restless desire to break free from the predictability of her quiet life. Her sister Millie-a practical yet spirited counterpart-is skeptical of Alva's newfound boldness. But when Alva suggests an impulsive road trip, not even Millie can resist the call of adventure.

What starts as a lighthearted escapade quickly spirals into a whirlwind of mischief, suspense, and unexpected heroics. As the journey unfolds, the siblings face long-buried secrets, stand up for the underdog, and confront dangerous foes with a fierceness they never knew they possessed.

Through it all, Alva and Millie prove that courage, resilience, and the drive to rewrite your story aren't confined by age-they're only sharpened by experience.

Witty, heartfelt, and brimming with surprises, Ignoring Alva is an unforgettable tale of sisterhood and reinvention. It proves that life's greatest adventures can happen when you least expect them.

Click to Purchase!

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About Emilie Khair

Emilie Khair is the author of the biographies Passion’s Piano: The Eddie Heywood Story and A Beautiful Puzzle: Nadia’s Journey from East to West as well as the children’s book, Kudzu for Christmas. She holds undergraduate degrees in theatre arts and English education from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in special education from the University of West Georgia, and a doctorate in sociology from Georgia State University. She has two sons and resides in McDonough, Georgia, with her husband of thirty-five years. While Emilie’s roots are in Minnesota, her southern experiences are an inspiration to her writing.

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Tour Participants

April 10 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 11 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

April 12 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 12 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

April 13 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 14 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

April 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 16 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 18 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 19 – MJB Reviewer – SPOTLIGHT

April 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 21 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 23 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - SPOTLIGHT

April 23 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

Click to Purchase!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

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Book Review: A Room for Murder (Charlie Kingsley, #5) by Michele Pariza Wacek

A Room for Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ghostly drama is going down at the Redemption Inn!

A Room for Murder is a novella in the Charlie Kingsley series by author Michele Pariza Wacek, and reading it is an excellent way to become acquainted with the main character and town of Redemption, Wisconsin, and enjoy an intriguing ghost story. Charlie Kingsley is drawn into a ghostly drama by Nancy, her friend and the owner of the historic and haunted Redemption Inn, where she meets the Redemption’s handsome, aggravating, and recently hired police officer.

Charlie is a friendly and helpful woman who operates a small home business crafting specialty herbal tea blends. She first learns of the Redemption Inn’s ghost, Darla, from a pair of tourists she encounters at Quoth the Raven, the local new and used bookstore. Intrigued, she heads to the Inn to ask the owner, her friend Nancy, about the ghost but inadvertently stumbles into a scene of turmoil with a guest loudly complaining that Darla tried to kill her husband.

The town of Redemption has a peculiar reputation and odd history, so everyone is quite willing to accept the presence of a ghost as fact. But as these types of things go, something just doesn’t feel right, and before you know it, one of the guests falls victim to the supposedly deadly specter.

The author’s writing style is easy to read, and I was soon invested in the outcome of the story. The characters were engaging and easy to get to know, and the plot was compelling. Readers new to the series should have no trouble getting comfortable with the current tale without having read the earlier novels.

I recommend A ROOM FOR MURDER to cozy mystery readers and fans of the previous books in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Blindspot by Maggie Smith

Blindspot

by Maggie Smith

April 29 - May 24, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

From the author of the award-winning Truth and Other Lies comes a gripping suspense novel about an ambitious prosecutor on the hunt for her sadistic stalker . . . only to be framed for murder when he turns up dead.

Rachel Matthews is used to stress—from the cutthroat world of the district attorney’s office to her escalating clashes with her teenage daughter. So when a stranger sends a lavish bouquet with a macabre message and leaves a disturbing video on her doorstep, she’s quick to act. Teaming up with an old classmate turned private investigator, she wades through old case files, searching for someone harboring a grudge. But before she has time to pinpoint a suspect, her stalker issues a demand—he wants money, lots of it, or he’ll hurt her daughter.

Desperate to protect her child, Rachel agrees but soon finds herself fleeing a bloody crime scene, fearful for her life. As evidence mounts against her, Rachel realizes it’s up to her to unmask the enemy behind this vendetta before it’s too late.

Fans of Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, Julie Clark’s The Lies I Tell and Heather Chavez’ Before She Finds Me will embrace this taut tale of long-simmering revenge right up to its surprising and twisty climax.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Suspense
Published by: Puzzle Box Press
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Number of Pages: 318
ISBN: 9798989677917
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

April 24, 2023, County Courthouse

The killer is sitting in this courtroom and it’s up to me to prove it.

It isn’t every day a murder this sensational happens in Milwaukee. Sure, we’ve had our share of drive-by shootings, domestic arguments that escalated, home invasions that turned deadly. And yes, there was that lurid trial a while back where the deranged sicko drugged, then ate his victims. That one landed our city in the national spotlight. A once in a lifetime case.

But this one’s right up there. Everyone involved is high profile. Which means it warrants the top guns. Which means my boss of nine years, Marcus Huntley, Deputy DA, is sitting first chair. I catch his eye and his expression confirms what I already know. This is the most important case of my career, and if the verdict goes south, any hope for that promotion goes right along with it.

But this isn’t only about winning for me. There’s a lot more at stake. Consequences I don’t dare think about or I’ll lose my nerve. Because even though the police are convinced this is an open and shut case, I know better.

I know they’ve arrested the wrong person.

Because I witnessed the murder. But for reasons I can’t reveal, I have to keep quiet. Only two people know the whole story and I’ve sworn them to secrecy.

I watch the crowd. Examine every person in detail. Who’s talking to whom, who’s staring at their lap, who’s looking around the room. Who’s fidgeting, adjusting their tie, or rummaging through their purse. Who looks bored and who looks agitated? But even though I’m an expert in spotting a tell, I’m coming up empty.

The electricity in the air ratchets up as the judge enters and the bailiff calls the case. I’ve been up most of the night, pacing the floor, rehearsing my lines, imagining how today would go. What to say and what not to say. What needs to happen so I can walk out of here satisfied.

Part of me wants to scream. Part of me wants to whimper. Part of me wants to rush out the door and never look back.

But I don’t do any of those things. Instead I steel my nerves and set aside the theatrics. A bead of sweat slithers down my spine as I stand to address the judge.

In an orange jumpsuit. And handcuffs.

“Rachel Elizabeth Matthews. You stand accused of first-degree intentional homicide.

How do you plead?”

“Not guilty, Your Honor,” I reply.

***

Excerpt from Blindspot by Maggie Smith. Copyright 2024 by Maggie F Smith. Reproduced with permission from Maggie Smith. All rights reserved.

 

 

Review:

5 stars!

Riveting! I suspected EVERYONE! 

Blindspot is the new psychological thriller slated for publication in just a few days, and it is a suspense-filled doozy! With a personable female assistant district attorney as the main character besieged by an unknown stalker watching her every move, I was completely absorbed by the story and on the edge of my seat, wondering what in the world was going on! 

Single mom Rachel Matthews is the Milwaukee assistant district attorney who is the target of a mysterious and menacing stalker. She’s successful and competent in her career and on the brink of taking a big step up the professional ladder. But while she flourishes at work, her private life has long since reached a stalemate. It’s been just her and her daughter since birth, and Rachel is satisfied with that; her daughter means everything to her. However, over the past several months, their relationship has been strained as Rachel puts in long hours at her job, while Charley struggles to navigate the teen years and some difficult high school issues. When the stalker includes Charley in their sick game, Rachel takes matters into her own hands. 

The story begins with Rachel in court and then goes back in time to explain how she came to be on trial for murder. The bar is immediately pretty high for tension and continues to build. Many of the individuals Rachel interacts with act suspiciously or come into her life a little too coincidentally, and I eventually suspected everyone and never quite trusted any of them. Rachel takes some big risks that place her in jeopardy, and the resulting twists in the story made me gasp out loud and, of course, compelled me to keep reading on and on. The book was riveting and thoroughly entertaining. 

I recommend BLINDSPOT to readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, and psychological suspense.

Author Bio:

In a career that’s included work as a journalist, a psychologist, and the founder of a national art consulting company, Maggie Smith added novelist to her resume with the publication of her debut, Truth and Other Lies, a women’s fiction novel set in Chicago and released in March 2022 by Ten16 Press. It won NIEA’s Juror Grand Prize, the Star Award for Debut Fiction from Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Foreword INDIES Gold Metal for General Fiction, and was selected for the Women’s Book Association Great Group Reads.

In addition to her writing, Maggie hosts the weekly podcast Hear Us Roar (215+ episodes), blogs monthly for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and is Managing Editor for Chicago Writer’s Association Write City E-Zine. She resides in Milwaukee WI with her husband and her aging but still adorable sheltie. Her second novel, a psychological suspense called BLINDSPOT will be released in May 2024.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Resort to Murder (Northwoods Mystery, #1) by Annie McEwen

 

Resort to Murder

Northwoods Mysteries

by

Annie McEwen

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - Wisconsin
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Paperback: 225 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8884872738 / Digital ASIN: B0CSXRZXDM

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SYNOPSIS:

 

When Emmy Cooper’s life in Chicago is turned upside down, the young interior designer retreats to her family’s lake cottage resort in the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods for a much-needed break. Hoping to clear her mind and gain a fresh perspective, she looks forward to enjoying the slower pace and the crisp, clean pine air at her beloved Cooper’s Cove Resort with her family, dogs, and her best friend, Whitney. Unfortunately, her homecoming isn't as calm as she'd hoped when Emmy finds out a ruthless development company is relentlessly pressuring Lake Covington property owners, including Emmy's family, to sell their land so they can build an extravagant, modern resort that would ruin the quaint esthetic of the area. And things only get worse when Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake—murdered! Suddenly the police are involved, and since Emmy's father was leading the fight to stop the shady development from getting approval, he's quickly painted as the prime suspect. Now it's up to Emmy to prove her father’s innocence, save the reputation of Cooper’s Cove, and find out who would resort to murder.

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REVIEW:

Coming soon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent vacations as a kid. Annie and her husband are empty nesters living in their rural Indiana home, but their married children and two toddler grandsons fortunately live close by. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies, one of whom is a very important character in her books. When Annie isn’t writing, playing with her grandsons, or tackling trash-to-treasure projects, she works as a radiological technologist. As a former farm kid, she still loves to dig in the dirt and garden. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and loves attending mystery conventions. 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

May 8 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

May 8 – Angel's Book Nook - SPOTLIGHT

May 8 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

May 9 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

May 9 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

May 9 – Socrates Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

May 10 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

May 10 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

May 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

May 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

May 11 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 12 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

May 12 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

May 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, GUEST POST

May 13 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading – REVIEW

May 14 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

May 14 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

May 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Virtual Book Tour: Death Checked Out (Larkspur Library Mystery, #1) by Leah Dobrinska

 

Death Checked Out

A Larkspur Library Mystery
by
Leah Dobrinska

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Setting - Wisconsin

Publisher: Level Best Books

Publication Date: December 6, 2022

Page Count: ~300

Digital ASIN: B0BHJJ1QRT

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About Death Checked Out

She’s used to checking out books. A death? Not so much.

Greta Plank, resident librarian in the small, lakeside town of Larkspur, Wisconsin, prefers her rose-tinted glasses extra rosy, thank you very much. Ever since a family tragedy landed her in Larkspur, she’s kept a happy-or-bust outlook. But Greta’s cheery resolve takes a hit when she finds the town recluse dead at the base of the stairs leading from his deck to the lake. What she assumes is a terrible accident Greta soon learns is something more sinister, and to make matters worse, new-to-town Detective Mark McHenry cites her as not only his primary source for the case, but his top suspect.

To clear her name and return to life as she knew it before the murder, Greta decides to do some clue cataloging of her own. After all, she’s got her master’s degree in library science with an emphasis in research methodology…how hard could a criminal investigation be? With the help of her fellow librarians and her lawyer mom, Greta begins checking out the pages of the murder, uncovering details about the recluse’s rare book collection and Larkspur’s real estate market as she tries to understand why anyone would have authored his death.

But with friends and neighbors stacking up as both victims and suspects, Greta must cross-reference the facts and put a hold on her idyllic worldview if she wants to get the full story without paying the fine of her life.

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My Review

5 stars!

With its likable librarian heroine and smart amateur investigation, I was hooked.

Death Checked Out is the entertaining debut of Leah Dobrinska’s new series, the Larkspur Library Mysteries. Greta is a highly likable heroine, and her fellow librarians are engaging sidekicks. Detective Mark McHenry, a formidable investigator with zero bedside manner, has a secret sweet spot for the new library director.

 

The small town of Larkspur is picture-perfect with its lakeside location and fall in full swing. Several local businesses make their way into the story, which rounds out the cozy visual image. I came away wanting to attend the town’s upcoming Fall Festival the mayor and Greta were planning. Larkspur is a town of contrasts, though. While it is the typical small town where everyone knows everyone else and all their business and rumors streak through the grapevine, the story demonstrates that there can still be some surprising and shocking, and very well-kept secrets.

 

Greta, Josie, and Iris do an excellent job of ferreting out critical information, as librarians are wont to do, that identifies several potential suspects and other individuals vital to solving the crime. I liked that Greta and Josie consciously considered the ramifications and possible dangers of talking to some of these suspects and planned accordingly before deciding to pursue a meeting. We aren’t privy to much of McHenry’s initial investigation, but he (the professional) seems to be two steps behind the women throughout.

 

With its likable librarian heroine and nicely paced and plausible amateur investigation, I was hooked by the story from start to finish. I recommend DEATH CHECKED OUT to cozy mystery readers who enjoy library settings, librarian sleuths, and small towns in Wisconsin with a crisp autumn feel.

About Leah Dobrinska

Leah Dobrinska is the author of the Larkspur Library Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and the Mapleton novels, a series of standalone small town romances. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison and has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. As a kid, she hoped to grow up to be either Nancy Drew or Elizabeth Bennet. Now, she fulfills that dream by writing mysteries and love stories. Death Checked Out is her debut cozy mystery.

A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she's not writing, handing out snacks, or visiting local parks, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website, leahdobrinska.com.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, EXCERPT

December 12 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 12 – Maureen's Musings - SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – 

REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – Elza Reads – REVIEW

December 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

December 16 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – FUONLYKNEW – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 17 – I'm Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 18 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 18 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 19 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 20 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 20 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 21 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

December 21 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 23 - Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST December 23 - Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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